Four hundred fifty-nine days after being hired as head coach of the Browns, Pat Shurmur is finally getting the chance to run an offseason program.

Teams with new head coaches in the NFL started their structured conditioning programs on April 2. The remaining teams began their programs Monday.

The first day having the team together after more than three months away might not seem like a big deal to those on the outside, but it is a very big deal to Shurmur. There were no offseason programs in the NFL last year because of the lockout. That meant no supervised conditioning or instruction until the start of training camp.

"It's obviously exciting for me to have the players back in the building," Shurmur said on a conference call. "From what I can tell talking to the players, they're excited to be back. For a lot of the veteran guys, their body clock said the offseason program began a month ago.

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"This is my first offseason program. It gives you clarity knowing how much work needs to be done on the field in the latter part of May and June. I realize how important these can be so you can get your systems in place and refined. The players have a chance to work together and develop a winning chemistry."

The new CBA resulting from the negotiations during the lockout last year pushed the start of offseason programs back from mid-March to mid-April. Strict rules apply.

Players cannot be in the facility under the supervision of coaches for more than four hours a day. After working out with the strength coach, they can meet with their position coaches and coordinators, but on-field instruction doesn't begin until April 30.

The head coach can't even be in the weight room during the first two weeks. The entire offseason program is to last 10 weeks, with nine weeks of coaching. Some teams might give players a week off in the middle of the program. Shurmur decided to give his team the week off at the end of the nine weeks.

The start of the offseason program, coincidentally, coincided with draft prospect Ryan Tannehill's visit to Berea. The Texas A&M quarterback, whom the Browns are considering taking with the fourth overall pick, headed to Buffalo after visiting the Browns.

Shurmur said he met with starting QB Colt McCoy and welcomed him to the start of the offseason but felt no need to reassure him, despite all the offseason talk of Robert Griffin III, Tannehill, Brandon Weeden and even Matt Flynn.

"He's doing fine," Shurmur said. "I didn't think (talking about Griffin and the others) was necessary. We greeted each other and started talking about what we want to get accomplished in the offseason more than any other business."

McCoy does not seem flustered, judging by his recent tweets.

"Flight to Cleveland tomorrow settle in before the off season program excited to get to work with the team," McCoy tweeted Saturday.

On Sunday, he added, "Driving to Cleveland. I'm pumped."

Shurmur, emphasizing the offseason program is voluntary, said it was "an outstanding turnout for the first day." He said some absent players called him to explain why they are not in Berea.

Linebacker Scott Fujita was among the no-shows. He was in New York meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell about his involvement in the Saints' bounty program conducted from 2009-2011. Fujita was on the 2009 team and admits contributing cash to a performance fund, but he says he never paid teammates to injure an opponent.